Who’s stepping up in Grand Rapids area through Week 5?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2022 prep volleyball season is already a month in and the play has been fantastic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Grand Rapids area has long been one of the top areas of play in the state. Thus far, 2022 has seen plenty of high-level play from the area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at some of the teams and players shining in the early stages of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Division 1</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Hudsonville</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles have suffered just two losses, to Skyline and Lakewood, taking a set in both defeats. Currently riding a 12-match win streak, Hudsonville got past Grand Haven on Thursday night. We expected a big season out of junior outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='172198' first='Isabelle' last='Swiercz']</strong> and she hasn't disappointed. She's over 225 kills, 160 digs and 40 aces on the year. She's really embraced the go-to hitter role and is showcasing her tremendous all-around game. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110279' first='Gianna' last='Bender'] </strong>has also stepped up into the libero role. The junior is steady as a rock in the back row and allowing Hudsonville to stay in-system. Senior middle <strong>Sydney Overweg</strong> has also been a big plus in the middle. She's hitting nearly .400 on the year and leading the team in blocks, helping fill a big hole left from last year's graduating class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Forest Hills Northern</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Huskies continue to prove they are a contender this year with their powerful offense. The last eight days have seen them sweep Grand Rapids Christian, Greenville and Lowell. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='66314' first='Kennedy' last='Louisell']</strong> is a Miss Volleyball finalist for a reason, but she's also backed up by very dangerous hitters in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110295' first='Elana' last='Erickson'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110305' first='Kendall' last='Hopewell']</strong>. Setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='173606' first='Lauren' last='Hallas'] </strong>is moving the offense efficiently, working with a number of other senior hitters as well. Credit the FHN defense too, as many of their recent sets have seen their opponents at 15 or less.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Forest Hills Central</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rangers are hitting a nice stride lately, picking up sweeps of Byron Center, East Grand Rapids and GR Northview over the last eight days. FHC is able to rely on a great 1-2 punch at the pins in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='66299' first='Sarah' last='Dunn'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110332' first='Avery' last='Weslow']</strong>. The two are also helping lead a strong defensive effort alongside senior libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='108758' first='Kate' last='Hotaling']</strong>. With some matchups against Hudsonville, GR Christian and FH Northern on the horizon, it will be interesting to see if the Rangers are able to elevate themselves to the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Coopersville</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":161704,"width":190,"height":244,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/10/DSC_9090-795x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-161704" width="190" height="244"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Broncos are out to a 4-0 start in league play with sweeps of Unity Christian, Hamilton, Fruitport and Holland Christian. Their losses this season have been by very narrow margins, proving that Coopersville is very much capable of being a top team in Division 1. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='66341' first='Hayley' last='Wegener'] </strong>is connecting well with her hitters, primarily <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='108716' first='Emily' last='May']</strong>. The Broncos have also been solid at the net when it comes to blocking and deflections to keep themselves in points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Division 2</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>South Christian</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Sailors are on a roll right now, having won 11 straight matches. That includes a big sweep of Grand Rapids Catholic Central earlier in the week. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='66293' first='Kennedy' last='Arp'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110296' first='Ellie' last='Fles'] </strong>have been a difficult 1-2 punch for opponents to stop. Arp is hitting close to .500 on the season. South Christian has also been a handful from the service line, led by senior setter <strong>Gina Boomsma</strong>, who has over 50 aces in 2022 already.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Holland Christian</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Maroons were on a hot streak, but have suffered recent losses to the likes of Hudsonville, Rockford, GR West Catholic and Coopersville. There's certainly no shame in those losses to great teams. Holland Christian isn't far from turning those losses into wins. The Maroons have a lot of hitting depth, which makes them tough to game plan for. Senior setter <strong>Tryna Vander Zwaag</strong> is doing a good job of mixing up the hitters and keeping the offense unpredictable. She's also been leading the defensive effort. Senior <strong>Sophia Pierce </strong>has been the most consistent finisher and the blocks leader.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->